Adventist Hospital offers stem cell therapy

THE Davao Adventist Hospital is now offering services for autologous stem cell therapy.

Marketing officer Kim Endrei Go said the therapy is the first in Davao City and an alternative treatment for degenerative diseases of joints and bones caused by sports injuries and chronic pains.

Go said the treatment allows the patient to continue the normal routine even after the treatment. He said the therapy is non-surgical and has a healing period of only three days.

The modalities in extracting stem cells in the therapy are either through the Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and through Bone Marrow Aspiration Concentrate.

Go said autologous means that the stem cells will be extracted from the patient himself and will be regenerated through an equipment.

The hospital uses the Harvest technologies from the United States which introduced the SmartPrePtm2.

SmartPrePtm2 is used to redefine platelet concentrate systems. Its latest innovation will further expand and enhance the use of autologous bioactive proteins as well as help optimize the condition for healing.

Go said that the therapy session depends on the severeness of the patient's condition. He added that most patients had 3 sessions but some had once or twice.

He said the technology was first practice in their Cebu branch and is now adopted for Davao. He said that in Cebu there about almost 90 treatments since November last where it was launched.

Each session costs P80,000 where about 60 cc of platelet and stem cells will be collected from the patient.

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Adventist Hospital offers stem cell therapy

Significantly improved survival rates for stem cell transplant recipients

May 28, 2013 Survival rates have increased significantly among patients who received blood stem cell transplants from both related and unrelated donors, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology today. The study authors attribute the increase to several factors, including advances in HLA tissue typing, better supportive care and earlier referral for transplantation.

The study analyzed outcomes for more than 38,000 transplant patients with life-threatening blood cancers and other diseases over a 12-year period -- capturing approximately 70 to 90 percent of all related and unrelated blood stem cell transplants performed in the U.S. It was led by Theresa Hahn, Ph.D., of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), in collaboration with the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), the research arm of the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and Be The Match.

"This study shows that we are making significant progress, on a national level, in survival after transplantation. Patients across the country have benefited from the collaborative efforts of the CIBMTR, the NMDP and clinical researchers at individual transplant centers," said Dr. Hahn, an Associate Member and Associate Professor of Oncology in RPCI's Department of Medicine and first author on the study. "Our results demonstrate that these efforts have yielded improvement in early survival rates, and we will continue to work together to further improve long-term survival."

At 100 days post-transplant, the study shows survival significantly improved for patients with myeloid leukemias (AML) receiving related transplants (85 percent to 94 percent) and unrelated transplants (63 percent to 86 percent). At one-year post-transplant, patients who received an unrelated transplant showed an increased survival rate from 48 to 63 percent, while the survival rate for related transplant recipients did not improve. Similar results were seen for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

"The existence of the CIBMTR, which is a collaboration of the NMDP and the Medical College of Wisconsin, and its database of more than 330,000 patient outcomes made it possible for us to study whether and how the use of blood stem cell transplants, both related and unrelated, have changed over time," said Navneet Majhail, M.D., co-author of the study and medical director at the NMDP. "The significant improvements we saw across all patient and disease populations should offer patients hope and, among physicians, reinforce the role of blood stem cell transplants as a curative option for life-threatening blood cancers and other diseases."

In addition to improved survival, the authors note a significant increase in the overall number of patients receiving transplants. Related and unrelated transplant as treatment for ALL, AML, MDS and Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas increased by 45 percent -- from 2,520 to 3,668 patients annually. This is likely due to the use of reduced-intensity conditioning therapy and a greater availability of unrelated volunteer donors, a result of efforts by the NMDP and Be The Match to increase and diversify the Be The Match Registry.

"As evidenced by this data, the transplantation community has clearly made momentous progress toward improving survival rates," said Jeffrey W. Chell, M.D., chief executive officer of the NMDP. "Together with our research arm, CIBMTR, and our global partners, we will continue advancing the science of transplant to extend the curative power of this therapy to more patients and more diseases and help all patients live longer, healthier lives."

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Significantly improved survival rates for stem cell transplant recipients

Grant Funds Research Into Cardiac Stem Cells as Treatment for Heart Disease Related to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Life Education Keywords: New Book Looks at How Social Class Shapes College Decisions

Many valedictorians from less affluent families dont even apply to prestigious colleges and universities, according to a new book by Alexandria Walton Radford, Ph.D., associate program director in postsecondary education at RTI International.

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A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology advises that it is likely safe to continue taking blood thinners before minor procedures such as dental procedures, cataract surgery or dermatologic procedures. The guideline is published in Neurology.

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Shannon Galyan, a 2013 University of Evansville graduate, will spend her first year out of college halfway across the world in South Korea, where she has been awarded a Fulbright grant to teach English for the 2013-14 academic year.

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Grant Funds Research Into Cardiac Stem Cells as Treatment for Heart Disease Related to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Stem-cell trial gives fresh hope to stroke patients

Professor Keith Muir, from Glasgow University, said the results were "not what we would have expected" from the group of patients, who had previously shown no indications of their conditions improving.

He stressed it is too soon to tell whether the effect is due to the treatment they are receiving.

The trial involves injecting stem cells directly into the damaged parts of the patients' brains, with the hope they would turn into healthy tissue or kick-start the body's own repair processes.

Nine patients, in their 60s, 70s and 80s are taking part in the trial at Glasgow's Southern General Hospital to assess the safety of the procedure.

Among the patients to have shown improvements is former teacher Frank Marsh, who had a stroke five years ago.

The stroke left him with poor strength and co-ordination in his left hand, and poor balance. He needs a walking stick to help him move around the house.

The 80-year-old took part in the trial at Glasgow's Southern General Hospital, and said he had seen improvements in the use of his left hand.

Mr Marsh said: "I can grip certain things that I never gripped before, like the hand rail at the baths, with my left hand as well as my right.

"It still feels fairly weak and it's still a wee bit difficult to co-ordinate but it's much better than it was."

Mr Marsh said he hoped the improvements would continue, adding: "I'd like to get back to my piano. I'd like to walk a bit steadier and further."

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Stem-cell trial gives fresh hope to stroke patients

Cell Booster Infusion Mask – the Most Advanced Anti and Pre-aging Facial Treatment is in Flawless

Cell Booster Infusion Mask - the Most Advanced Anti and Pre-aging Facial Treatment is in Flawless

"Refreshing! I feel like I'm now ready for another long-week battle." that's exactly the feeling I got right after I was pampered using Flawless' new revolutionary offering - the Cell Booster Infusion Mask facial treatment.

It seems theres no stopping Flawless, the countrys preferred clinic for face, body and medical services, from dominating the local beauty arena. Still hot from the successful launch of the countrys first affordable stem cell-based product line, the brand now marks another milestone with the introduction of its most advanced facial treatment yet, Cell Booster Infusion Mask.

Were really proud of this new facial as it is set to once again raise the bar for anti- and preventive-aging treatments in the country, starts Rubby Sy, CEO of Flawless. In a nutshell, Cell Booster Infusion Mask is designed to perform two main functions: one, to combat the effects of and protect the skin from the destructive free radicals that we encounter every day; two, to rejuvenate and improve our skins cell architecture by nourishing it and encouraging the tissue regeneration process.

The science used for Cell Booster Infusion Mask allows it to deliver essential nutrients to the skin at cellular level. Using an advanced cellular repair hydrogel mask which contains highly concentrated essence of cell-activating nutrients, it promises to increase the skin's elasticity, minimize pores and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while giving the skin an undeniable glow. According to Sy, the technology for hydrogel is innovative in that it coagulates nutritious substances into a gel format and delivers active ingredients into the skin by reacting to the skins temperature rather than the air. It also leaves the skin feeling cool, fresh and invigorated.

We feel very lucky to have been able to bring this one-of-a-kind technology to the country, shares Sy. Flawless is very proud of the fact that with this new treatment, the brand is once again able to fulfill its promise to consistently bring medically-sound beauty solutions closer to Filipinos without the Class-A prices."

About Flawless

Established in 2001, Flawless is the countrys preferred clinic for face, body and medical services. It was founded on the premise of providing Filipinos easier access to top-notch, medically-sound beauty solutions. While cost has made the brands offerings more accessible, the quality of Flawless products and services remains first class. Powered by Skin Professionals, all of Flawless doctors and staff regularly attend medical and dermatological conferences in and out the country and receive constant up trainings. The brand is famed for employing equipment and technologies that are at par with those used by most international dermatological facilities.

For more information visit a Flawless Clinic near you or visit our website https://flawless.com.ph/. Stay connected, know the latest from Flawless, follow us on Facebook, Facebook.com/FlawlessFaceandBody and Twitter, Twitter.com/MyFlawless.

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Cell Booster Infusion Mask - the Most Advanced Anti and Pre-aging Facial Treatment is in Flawless

Spine function improves following cell replacement therapy with fetal human stem cells

Public release date: 27-May-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Hilary Glover hilary.glover@biomedcentral.com 44-020-319-22370 BioMed Central

Human foetal stem cell grafts improve both motor and sensory functions in rats suffering from a spinal cord injury, according to research published this week in BioMed Central's open access journal Stem Cell Research and Therapy. This cell replacement therapy also improves the structural integrity of the spine, providing a functional relay through the injury site. The research gives hope for the treatment of spinal cord injuries in humans.

Grafting human neural stem cells into the spine is a promising approach to promote the recovery of function after spinal injury. Sebastian van Gorp, from the University of California San Diego, and team's work looks specifically at the effect of intraspinal grafting of human foetal spinal cord-derived neural stem cells on the recovery of neurological function in a rats with acute lumbar compression injuries.

A total of 42 three month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats, with spinal compression injuries, were allocated to one of three groups. The rats in the first group received a spinal injection with the stem cells, those in the second group received a placebo injection, while those in the third group received no injection.

Treatment effectiveness was assessed by a combination of measures, including motor and sensory function tests, presence of muscle spasticity and rigidity which causes stiffness and limits residual movement. The team also evaluated of how well the grafted cells had integrated into the rodents' spines.

Gorp and colleagues found that, compared to rats who received either the placebo injection or no injection, those who received the stem cell grafts showed a progressive and significant improvement in gait/paw placement, reduced muscle spasticity as well as improved sensitivity to both mechanical and thermal stimuli. In addition to these behavioural benefits, the researchers observed long-term improvements in the structural integrity of previously injured spinal cord segments.

The authors say: "Importantly, spinal cavity formation and muscle spasticity are frequently observed in human patients with high-speed, high-impact induced spinal cord injuries. Our findings demonstrate that human foetal spinal cord-derived neural stem cells, with an already established favorable clinical safety profile, represent a potential cell candidate for cell replacement therapy in patients with traumatic spinal injuries."

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Spine function improves following cell replacement therapy with fetal human stem cells

Stroke Patients Show Signs Of Recovery Following Stem Cell Trial

Featured Article Main Category: Stroke Also Included In: Stem Cell Research;Clinical Trials / Drug Trials Article Date: 28 May 2013 - 3:00 PDT

Current ratings for: Stroke Patients Show Signs Of Recovery Following Stem Cell Trial

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Updated interim results of the Pilot Investigation of Stem Cells in Stroke (PISCES) study, which is testing the safety and tolerability of injecting neural stem cells into the brains of ischemic stroke patients, were reported on Monday at the 22nd European Stroke Conference in London.

The stem cell trial started in 2010, with one stroke patient, an elderly Scotsman who was injected with ReN001 cells developed by ReNeuron Group plc, at the trial center at Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, UK.

By 2012, there were six patients on the small trial, and an early set of results presented at an international conference showed that five of the six patients were showing some improvement and there had been no adverse side effects.

Clare Walton, Research Communications Officer at the UK's Stroke Association says they are very excited about the results of the trial, but "we are currently at the beginning of a very long road and significant further development is needed before stem cell therapy can be regarded as a possible treatment."

The ReN001 treatment uses a stem cell line that originated some ten years ago from the tissue of a 12-week fetus.

In theory, stem cells hold a lot of promise as regenerative treatments. The idea is where tissue is damaged, such as in a stroke, doctors should be able to inject stem cells to regenerate new tissue in its place.

But in practice, it is not easy to develop effective and safe stem cell therapies.

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Stroke Patients Show Signs Of Recovery Following Stem Cell Trial

Spine function improves after cell replacement therapy with human fetal stem cells

Washington, May 28 : A new research has found that human foetal stem cell grafts improve both motor and sensory functions in rats suffering from a spinal cord injury.

This cell replacement therapy also improves the structural integrity of the spine, providing a functional relay through the injury site.

The research gives hope for the treatment of spinal cord injuries in humans.

Grafting human neural stem cells into the spine is a promising approach to promote the recovery of function after spinal injury.

Sebastian van Gorp, from the University of California San Diego, and team's work looks specifically at the effect of intraspinal grafting of human foetal spinal cord-derived neural stem cells on the recovery of neurological function in rats with acute lumbar compression injuries.

A total of 42 three month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats, with spinal compression injuries, were allocated to one of three groups. The rats in the first group received a spinal injection with the stem cells, those in the second group received a placebo injection, while those in the third group received no injection.

Treatment effectiveness was assessed by a combination of measures, including motor and sensory function tests, presence of muscle spasticity and rigidity that causes stiffness and limits residual movement. The team also evaluated of how well the grafted cells had integrated into the rodents' spines.

Gorp and colleagues found that, compared to rats who received either the placebo injection or no injection, those who received the stem cell grafts showed a progressive and significant improvement in gait/paw placement, reduced muscle spasticity as well as improved sensitivity to both mechanical and thermal stimuli. In addition to these behavioural benefits, the researchers observed long-term improvements in the structural integrity of previously injured spinal cord segments.

"Importantly, spinal cavity formation and muscle spasticity are frequently observed in human patients with high-speed, high-impact induced spinal cord injuries. Our findings demonstrate that human foetal spinal cord-derived neural stem cells, with an already established favorable clinical safety profile, represent a potential cell candidate for cell replacement therapy in patients with traumatic spinal injuries," the researchers added.

The research was published this week in BioMed Central's open access journal Stem Cell Research and Therapy.

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Spine function improves after cell replacement therapy with human fetal stem cells

Engineered stem cell advance points toward treatment for ALS

Public release date: 28-May-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Masatoshi Suzuki msuzuki@vetmed.wisc.edu University of Wisconsin-Madison

MADISON, Wis. Transplantation of human stem cells in an experiment conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison improved survival and muscle function in rats used to model ALS, a nerve disease that destroys nerve control of muscles, causing death by respiratory failure.

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is sometimes called "Lou Gehrig's disease." According to the ALS Association, the condition strikes about 5,600 Americans each year. Only about half of patients are alive three years after diagnosis.

In work recently completed at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, Masatoshi Suzuki, an assistant professor of comparative biosciences, and his colleagues used adult stem cells from human bone marrow and genetically engineered the cells to produce compounds called growth factors that can support damaged nerve cells.

The researchers then implanted the cells directly into the muscles of rats that were genetically modified to have symptoms and nerve damage resembling ALS.

In people, the motor neurons that trigger contraction of leg muscles are up to three feet long. These nerve cells are often the first to suffer damage in ALS, but it's unclear where the deterioration begins. Many scientists have focused on the closer end of the neuron, at the spinal cord, but Suzuki observes that the distant end, where the nerve touches and activates the muscle, is often damaged early in the disease.

The connection between the neuron and the muscle, called the neuro-muscular junction, is where Suzuki focuses his attention. "This is one of our primary differences," Suzuki says. "We know that the neuro-muscular junction is a site of early deterioration, and we suspected that it might be the villain in causing the nerve cell to die. It might not be an innocent victim of damage that starts elsewhere."

Previously, Suzuki found that injecting glial cell line-derived neurotropic factor (GDNF) at the junction helped the neurons survive. The new study, published in the journal Molecular Therapy on May 28, expands the research to show a similar effect from a second compound, called vascular endothelial growth factor.

In the study, Suzuki found that using stem cells to deliver vascular endothelial growth factor alone improved survival and delayed the onset of disease and the decline in muscle function. That result mirrored his earlier study with GDNF.

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Engineered stem cell advance points toward treatment for ALS

Stem Cell Trial Leads To 'Mild To Moderate' Improvement In Stroke Patients

May 28, 2013

redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports Your Universe Online

More than half of the seriously disabled stroke victims participating in preliminary clinical trials of a new stem cell procedure have shown modest signs of recovery, the scientists carrying out the research reported Monday.

According to Sam Marsden of The Telegraph, five out of the nine ischemic stroke patients taking part in the PISCES trial were able to regain some movement in their hands and legs after undergoing the procedure, in which stem cells were injected directly into the damaged parts of their brains.

The patients showed mild to moderate improvement in their conditions after receiving injections of the ReNeuron Groups ReN001 stem cell therapy, Marsden explained. Some of the patients were able to move their fingers again after several years of complete paralysis, while others found that they could walk around their houses by themselves without assistance, he added.

Glasgow University professor Keith Muir, who is treating the patients, told BBC News Science Correspondent Pallab Ghosh that he was surprised by the amount of recovery in the patients. However, he also emphasized that it was too soon to determine whether or not the stem cell treatment is responsible for their partial recovery.

The results, which were presented by Muir at the European Stroke Conference in London on Monday, demonstrate that there have been no adverse side effects observed in the patients to this point. The beneficial effects, though, could be attributed to the close medical attention being given to the patients and not the treatment itself, Ghosh said.

It is well documented that the feeling of wellbeing resulting from such attention, known as the placebo effect, can have a positive effect on peoples health, the BBC News reporter said. But it is thought that stroke patients do not recover after the first six months of their stroke. All the patients involved in the trial had their strokes between six months and five years before they received the treatment.

The PISCES trial is nearing its end, the university said, and full results will be published sometime in 2014. In the meantime, plans are underway for a Phase II trial designed to investigate the efficacy of stem cell treatment in stroke patients.

The Phase II trial would be a controlled multi-facility trial involving approximately 20 patients, all of whom would have suffered a stroke just a few weeks before starting treatment. An application is expected to be submitted to UK regulatory agencies in early July, and if approved, the trial would begin later this year.

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Stem Cell Trial Leads To 'Mild To Moderate' Improvement In Stroke Patients